Sword of Honour for Exeter School alumnus

Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

An Exeter
School alumnus has been awarded the prestigious Sword of Honour at the Royal
Military Academy Sandhurst.

Nathaniel
Newman (2006 - 2013) was presented with the honour of ‘Best Cadet’ at the Royal
Military Academy Sandhurst.

The Royal
Military Academy Sandhurst in Surrey is where all officers in the British Army
are trained to take on the responsibilities of leading the soldiers under their
command.

Army Scholar
Nat said he was delighted and honoured to receive the award.

“Everyone
who attends the Royal Military Academy will agree that it is a long and
challenging year, and it is a challenge which can only be conquered as a team,”
he said.

“I
owe a great deal to those who commissioned with me, as they helped me
throughout and ultimately enabled me to be awarded this honour.”

Nat is
currently undergoing Speciality to Arm training at the Platoon Commanders
Battle Course in Brecon, which all Infantry Officers must complete before they
can be considered fully qualified. On completion of this course he will join
the 3rd Battalion the Rifles who are based in Edinburgh.

Nat
credited his former school with helping him on the start of his journey to
become an Army Officer.

“I
was a keen member of the CCF Army section which initially sparked my interest
and gave me a taste of what was to come,” he said.

“I
would very much like to thank all those who were involved in this training,
particularly Mr Keyes and Mr Daws, as I have fantastic memories of Friday
afternoons.

“I
also very much enjoyed the Ten Tors Challenge whilst at school and was very
fortunate to complete all three distances, I still have the medals to prove
it!”

Former Head of Army Section Nick Keyes said Nat was an excellent cadet
and it didn’t surprise him that Sandhurst was of the same opinion.

"He is heading for the best job in the world, commanding a
platoon of British soldiers, and he will be very good at it,” he said.

“We are all very proud of him, and retain happy memories of
training with him in Exeter School CCF.